Google Assistant adds new media capabilities ahead of HomePod release

You can now wake up to a favorite playlist and use voice to pick up where you left off with Netflix shows.

The Google Assistant has been updated to make entertainment content more accessible to voice control. The company announced today that users can set alarms to play a favorite song, playlist or radio station instead of a loud, unpleasant alarm sound.

Users invoke this by speaking, “Hey Google, set an alarm for 6 a.m. that plays [insert favorite musician].” This is optimized for Google Play Music but will work with other services as well (e.g., Pandora).

Google added that you can now ask for TV show schedules using the Google Assistant. You can also set reminders so you can catch shows at specific dates and times. The Google Assistant can control TV programming as well.

This isn’t entirely new; users can “cast” content to their TVs from the Assistant on Netflix, YouTube TV and a couple of other sources. If you’ve linked your Netflix account to Google Home, you can now say “Watch XYZ show . . . “ and the Assistant will initiate that program from the point of last viewing. Google emphasizes that voice match allows separate users to do this and get personalized results.

These updates are part of Google’s ongoing feature race with Amazon Alexa, which announced it can send texts to Android phones. Both are trying to stay ahead of Apple, which plans to start selling the HomePod next Friday.

About The Author

Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land. He writes a personal blog, Screenwerk, about connecting the dots between digital media and real-world consumer behavior. He is also VP of Strategy and Insights for the Local Search Association. Follow him on Twitter or find him at Google+.